In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked with Thierry Pebre, Inteva’s chief engineer of motors and electronics, Inteva Products LLC about the company’s electric motors. In January 2011, Inteva Products acquired ArvinMeritor’s body systems business. The move enables Inteva to strengthen its position as a global supplier of door systems and latching systems while expanding its product expertise to include roof systems, motors and electronics.
just-auto: What is driving innovation in electric motors?
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Thierry Pebre: The continuous increase in the number of electrical motors installed on a car is naturally leading to calls for weight reduction requirements (electrical motor should be smaller and lighter) and power consumption (E-vehicles will move the focus of the power consumption to all actuators).
Although electric motors have long since been used to power certain vehicle componentry, such as wiper systems and engine-cooling fans, these markets have matured. What are the more promising vehicle applications that require electric motors?
- Powertrain for E-vehicles
- Actuators for drive-by-wire technology such as clutch, brakes, steering
- Growth on the mix of power seat adjustment, powered closures (doors, trunk, etc.)
Could you provide us with an example of how Inteva is responding to that?
M&E [Inteva Products’ motors and electronics business] already provides smart motors for windows and sunroofs. We are seeking to extend the product offering by a contingency approach.
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By GlobalDataBesides standard brushless DC motors, mainly found in body and convenience areas, are other types of motor gaining popularity? For which applications?
Motors using rare earth magnet technology wherever weight becomes critical (closures and body components). Also, synchronous motors for drivetrain.
As we understand it, today’s average vehicle operates at power levels of 1– 2 kW. Although there are alternative views, tomorrow’s vehicles could require between 3 – 4 times that level. What is your outlook for power levels? How will that affect the design and application of electric motors?
The increasing amount of E-vehicles will not allow the power consumption to increase 3-4 times today level. Big pressure is placed on improving electromechanical systems with the aim of minimising electrical consumption.
Drive-by-wire technology has been discussed in the auto industry for a number of years. It implies a complete re-working of the entire vehicle construction. What is the impact on electric motors? Will there simply be more of them or are there other implications?
I expect simply more of them, because the drive-by-wire actuators technology already exists today. It is also worth noting that all attempts to minimise the number of motor and to use gearboxes and clutches to distribute the power to several actuators have all failed on the ground of cost and flexibility. The only way around this trend is the offering for much simpler vehicles as seen in the recent years on European show cars. Yet this seems to be more of a new niche business rather than a solid trend.
